Computer Imaging

With increasingly more people proactively taking actions to enhance their appearance or managing signs of aging through surgical means, plastic surgery is no longer the taboo topic as it was just a few years ago.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), more than 8.7 million plastic surgery procedures were performed on people in 2003. This was up 32% from the nearly 6.6 million procedures performed in 2002. There is no indication of any reduction in the number of procedures performed for the next few years, as the plastic surgery industry is experiencing an unprecedented boom.

Plastic surgery has become a part of our society. You don't have to be part of the elite rich and famous to undergo some type of cosmetic plastic surgery procedure. In fact, today's society appears to be more accepting of improving one's own image through this means.

One of the contributions to the popularity of plastic surgery has been the cutting-edge advancement in technologies and procedures. A fine example of the technology that is getting people more interested in plastic surgery is computer imaging.

As one of the newest techniques in the plastic surgery field, computer imaging allows the patient to visualize the possibilities that cosmetic surgery can offer. The patient's image is captured electronically and manipulated on a computer screen, helping the physician and the patient determine an appropriate goal for the surgical procedure. Computer imaging has assisted patients and doctors alike on making the right decision about plastic surgery to gain the most favorable results.

Today, most progressive surgeons offer computer imaging at their practice during their consultation period. This provides the potential patient an estimate of their post-operative appearance. Computer imaging and some "before and after" photographs of previous patients allow the patient to see how much change the surgeon have done for their patients in the past. This serves as another tool for the patient to evaluate the credibility and skill of the surgeon.

Plastic surgery computer imaging is proven to be an excellent tool to guide discussions with a surgeon and to help one decide whether to proceed with cosmetic surgery. A patient can take these morphed photos to the doctor and ask how the anticipated results from surgery might compare with the simulated pictures. Conversely, a few people see their photos and realize that the physical and financial expense of surgery wouldn't be worth the potential results.

Whatever the case, computer imaging as allowed many people to affordably get a visual idea of what they might look like if they proceed with their desired plastic surgery procedure. With this, comes a stronger sense and security in your decision-making process.